Canon has announced three new PowerShot compact digital cameras, the PowerShot G7 X, the PowerShot SX60 HS and the PowerShot N2.

The PowerShot G7 X is Canon’s first compact point-and-shoot camera with a one-inch sensor. The SX60 HS camera features a 65x optical zoom lens and amazingly broad focal length range equivalent to 21-1365 mm, while the N2 has a compact and unique, stylish design with a selfie-ready, flip-up touch panel LCD that makes it easy for social media fanatics to share their favourite photos and videos via the camera’s Wi-Fi and Near Field Communications (NFCTM) features.

Canon says anyone looking for DSLR features and quality in a compact point-and-shoot body should consider the PowerShot G7 X. The one-inch, 20.2-megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor delivers optimal performance with an ISO range of 125 – 12,800, says the company. The sensor, along with the DIGIC 6 image processor, creates the high-sensitivity HS System, said to deliver excellent low-light performance.

Featuring a newly-developed premium quality Canon lens with 4.2x optical zoom ratio (equivalent to 24-100 mm), together with a maximum aperture range of f/1.8 to f/2.8 from wide to telephoto, the G7 X gives users a high level of optical performance, says Canon. The camera also has a built-in ND filter.

The camera’s High Speed AF has 31 AF points, spread widely across the picture area.

Continuous shooting speeds can go as high as 6.5 frames per second.

The G7 X has built-in Wi-Fi technology, so users can share their still images and videos online using compatible mobile devices. Using the Mobile Device Connect Button, users can connect to a compatible smartphone or tablet easily, while direct uploading and storage of images and movies to the web is easily done using Canon iMAGE GATEWAY. For even easier connectivity, the camera also features NFC making initial setup and pairing easier with a compatible Android device.

Photographers can also capture Full HD video up to 1080/60p. Accessing the various video shooting modes is also easily done as the automatic and manual focus, along with the exposure settings, can be controlled using the touch panel, the dial on the back of the camera or a control ring on the lens. There’s an HDMI port for playback on an HDTV.

The G7 X camera also offers multiple shooting modes. For example, the advanced Star Mode features four options to capture images of starry night skies. The “Star Portrait” and “Star Nightscape” modes help capture the radiance of stars in the background while still allowing photographers to capture a foreground subject. The “Star Trails” mode turns star movement into a luminous still image, while the “Star Time-Lapse Movie” mode makes video clips that show the movement of the stars against a static background.

For even more creative expression, the G7 X camera features Creative Shot Mode for still images, now with four filter categories: Retro, Monochrome, Special, and Natural. Smart AUTO technology selects 58 different predefined scenes for still shots and 21 for video. The camera’ also offers High Dynamic Range (HDR) Mode. Additionally, the camera’s Intelligent IS automatically chooses from one of eight modes to help optimize image stabilization for virtually shake-free images in various shooting conditions.

For photography purists, the G7 X camera fully supports both manual exposure control and the user’s choice of RAW, JPEG or RAW+JPEG recording formats. The camera also provides manual control operability with a touch panel, a programmable control ring on the lens, an exposure compensation dial, and two customizable buttons on the back.

SX60 HS

The PowerShot SX60 HS digital camera is the latest addition to Canon’s SX high-power zoom lineup, with 65x optical zoom (equivalent to 21-1365 mm) and optical image stabilization. The new model includes a 16.1-megapixel CMOS image sensor that, when paired with Canon’s DIGIC 6 Image processor, creates Canon’s high-sensitivity HS System to enhance low-light image quality. Further boosting the performance of the camera’s 65x zoom lens is the Intelligent IS system which provides users with 8-mode shake correction technology. For filmmaking enthusiasts, the camera’s 1080/60p Full HD video capabilities feature the choice of automatic or manual exposure control together with a built-in stereo microphone and a port for optional external stereo microphone.

The SX60 HS is equipped with built-in Wi-Fi technology, so users can share the still images and videos taken with the camera online quickly and easily using compatible mobile devices. The camera’s Mobile Device Connect Button makes it easy for users to connect to a compatible smartphone or tablet. Images and movies uploaded to the cloud via iMAGE GATEWAY can be shared on social media platforms. The SX60 HS camera also includes NFC making initial setup and pairing easier with a compatible Android device.

The camera features Face Detection and Tracking AF plus full resolution continuous shooting up to 6.4 frames per second (when not using Tracking AF). The camera also features a new EOS-style grip design. Users can choose between a 3.0-inch Vari-Angle LCD screen for low-or high-angle shooting and a high-resolution electronic viewfinder.

When shooting at extreme telephoto focal lengths, the Zoom Framing Assist function remembers the user’s previous zoom position, zooms out to locate the subject, and zooms right back into the saved position when the button is released. An additional feature to this Zoom Framing Assist allows users to preset a desired composition such as whole body, upper body or face. Once this feature is enabled, the camera will zoom its lens automatically to maintain the desired composition even if the subject moves closer to or further away from the camera. Another new function called Zoom Memory makes it possible to quickly return to the most recently used zoom position, even if the battery or memory card is replaced.

The SX60 HS features Creative Shot mode and Canon’s Smart AUTO mode that intelligently selects optimal camera settings from 58 different predefined scenes for still shots and 21 for video. The camera also features full manual exposure and focus control, with the photographer’s choice of JPEG, RAW, or JPEG+RAW capture modes. The camera is also fully compatible with Canon EX-series Speedlites.

N2

The new PowerShot N2, features an 8x optical zoom lens (equivalent to 28-224 mm), and a 16.1-megapixel CMOS image sensor and DIGIC 6 Image processor.

With enhanced Wi-Fi capabilities, the N2 allows sharing images; using the Mobile Device Connect Button, users can connect to a compatible smartphone or tablet easily. Images uploaded to the cloud via iMAGE GATEWAY can be shared easily on social media platforms. The N2 also includes NFC making initial setup and pairing easier with a compatible Android device.

The camera features a 2.8-inch, 180° tilt, capacitive touch LCD screen and, in combination with the camera’s new Self Portrait mode, makes this the ideal camera for taking a spontaneous selfie, notes Canon. Different from the shutter ring on the PowerShot N, that could be pressed on the top or bottom of the ring, the new shutter ring on the N2 camera now functions with an all-round release, allowing users to hold the camera in various ways as well as making it a great camera choice for left or right-handed photographers.

The camera’s Creative Shot mode, which was also featured on the N, has been enhanced with added filters, giving users the ability to easily apply either a Retro, Monochrome, Special or Natural look to their photos. Also unique to this model, the advanced movie shooting feature in Creative Shot mode combines several movie clips automatically with special effects including super slow motion, quick motion, and various filters for creating fantastic short films. The N2 camera also features Smart Auto Mode with 58 different predefined scenes for still shots and 21 for video.

The PowerShot G7 X is scheduled to be available in mid-October for an estimated retail price of $749.99.

The PowerShot SX60 HS is also scheduled to be available in early October for estimated retail price of $579.99.

The PowerShot N2 is scheduled to be available the end of November with a choice of black and white body colours for an estimated retail price of $349.99.